Cycle routes

When I get back to health I want to do a long distance ride from my home in Ipswich to Cardigan Bay in Wales. But I have two questions: Does anyone know if there is a good online cycle route planner where I can plan my route. I tried the AA one but they seem to focus on motorways, which leads me to my second question: What is the law regarding cycling on Dual Carriageways/ motorways etc. I would like to stick to smaller roads but it is probably envitable that I will have to use major roads.

Bike Specific:
http://www.bikely.com/
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/
http://www.cycle-route.com/

Mapping:
http://maps.google.co.uk/
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
http://www.multimap.com/
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/dyn/controller/route-planner

as far as i know you cannot cycle where you cannot hitch-hike...so that means no motorways and no dual carriage ways

You are allowed to cycle on dual-carriage A roads

dual carriage ways are ok only motorways forbid bikes

Roberto and i were on dual carriageways all the way to manchester. Its great, lorries give you a push as they zoom past :)

Yeah don't be afraid of the A-roads. Some have really nice hard shoulders for you to ride on and lovely countryside to look at so you don't even notice the cars (A259 Portsmouth to Brighton for example). Some however are scum (A12 for example) and are best avoided, as theres always lots of angry fast moving traffic (and just Essex to look at).

Sounds obvious, but plan your route around rush hour.

lpg whats happening with your tour de france ?